JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has directed a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging them to implement more stringent precautions around Coldwater Creek in Florissant, Mo., which has been contaminated with nuclear waste and hazardous toxins for decades.
“For far too long, Missourians have been poisoned by their federal government. The federal government owes it to these residents to provide sufficient warnings to prevent future victims and to expedite the cleanup process,” said Attorney General Bailey. “That’s why my office is demanding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers comply with the law and update its signage to warn Missourians of the extreme dangers in the Coldwater Creek area.”
Excess uranium from the United States’ efforts to build the atomic bomb was dumped next to Coldwater Creek during World War II. This uranium waste has exposed residents to dangerous chemicals for decades. Officials were aware at the time that the waste could escape decaying barrels and enter the creek, posing risks of serious injury or death from exposure to toxins. The waste has now infiltrated the creek; however, current signage in the area fails to adequately warn residents.
Attorney General Bailey specifically requests that the Army Corps of Engineers improve its signage in the area. In his letter, he writes, “It has come to my attention that there is inadequate signage around contaminated areas of Coldwater Creek in Florissant, Missouri, to warn local residents of the potential danger of toxic exposure. Coldwater Creek has been notorious for its nuclear waste and hazardous toxins since the end of World War II, posing extreme health and safety risks to those in the area. Under the current deficient signage, Missourians are not adequately warned of the dangers they face from exposure to cancer-inducing chemicals and other toxins that cause serious bodily injury or death. I demand that you take immediate action to address this deficiency.”
“Although your department worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this year to procure and display warning signs indicating its toxicity, we believe these signs are legally inadequate to properly communicate the risks associated with being near the creek. The surrounding communities need clear communication immediately. The existing signage fails to meet legal standards for adequately displaying the nature of the threat and does not appear to comply with existing regulations.”
He concludes, “Because current signage does not meet these legal requirements, you must take action to correct this issue immediately. Proper signage is a critical step toward warning all residents of dangers stemming from waste senselessly dumped in this area over years. I cannot overstate importance and urgency of this matter. On behalf entire State demand you comply with law act due speed protect health safety Missourians who live work play around Coldwater Creek.”
In addition supporting Senator Hawley’s federal RECA legislation would compensate victims radiation poisoning demanded documents Biden’s Department Energy.